Escape to Pagan by Brian Devereux Page A

in number, and prevented them from helping their comrades who were greatly outnumbered when the attack came. It also deprived Captain Jones of his command which was vital to the defence of the position. When the Japanese had over run this position many of the frustrated and helpless men trapped underground were killed or wounded by hand grenades dropped through the ventilation shafts.
    The last and most significant blunder was made by an intelligence officer during that night. He received a report from one of his trusted agents onthe mainland: “Japanese amassing for an attack the following morning.” The intelligence officer drove to the mainland to check for himself. He surveyed the ground below for signs of the enemy. What had he expected to see? Perhaps dozens of blazing camp fires or hundreds of Japanese troops’ glowing cigarettes as they waited to receive the orders to attack? Instead he saw and heard nothing, just the high pitched chirping chorus made by thousands of auspicious Chinese crickets. Satisfied no attack was imminent, the intelligence officer returned to Hong Kong Island. He reported: “no attack expected the following day.” General Maltby issued orders for the troops to stand down.
    For some reason this order did not reach the Royal Scots on the mainland. The inhabitants of Hong Kong slept peacefully that night under their blankets of complacency.
    The Evening before the Japanese Attack: Mainland China
    That afternoon, a thousand yards to the front of The Gin Drinkers’ Line, under camouflage, the same young Japanese 2nd Lieutenant Nakamura had resumed his duties of observing D company of the Royal Scots. The young 2nd Lieutenant was to report any new developments back to Lt General Takashi Sakai’s headquarters. The attack was due to take place the following morning at 08:00 on the 8th December. Many of the Japanese were apprehensive; this was a battle against an enemy that possessed a massive empire. It was also a battle between two cultures that were poles apart.
    Earlier, the young Japanese officer asked permission to join the attack to blood his sword – his face was slapped. “Stop complaining, get on with your duties” ordered a senior officer.
    Undercover, Lieutenant Nakamura looked down at his other prized possession; a pair of made-to-measure black leather riding boots, always kept at their shiny best. He then lifted his binoculars and studied the tall enemy sergeant standing on the Gin Drinkers’ Line. Why were the British so tall? He studied the handsome face of the Sergeant. Little did he know they were destined to meet the following day.
    Unaware they were being closely watched, Lieutenant Ford and Sergeant Devereux chatted in a relaxed manner. The two men discussed the intelligence officer’s last talk. Both men were not admirers of these strutting roosters and their many privileges. They always seemed to be holding parties at their spacious apartments and seemed too friendly with the Japanese. The ordinary soldiers’ opinion differed slightly. They believed intelligence officers spent their time sitting in warm offices, drinking pink gin, wearing lipstick and kissing each other. That evening to the left and right of the young Japanese 2nd Lieutenant, Japanese infantry units of 23rd Regiment 38th Division took up their positions.
    Lieutenant Nakamura took a sip of water; he was looking forward to his evening meal of octopus and rice. He then lifted his field glasses skywards and studied a wing of swallows performing arching aerial acrobatics in the darkening sky. These lively birds reminded him of his childhood. As soon as night fell, he would slip away and make his last report. He hoped it would be acceptable; his senior officers had taken a liking to slapping his face. Inconspicuously melting away as soon as the shades of night descended, he reported back to Lt General Takashi Sakai’s Headquarters.
    Just in front of the British